Torment ability
The Torment ability is a slang term used by Magic R&D to describe the following effect: "Target player sacrifices a nonland permanent, pays 3 life, or discards a card."[1] This effect is not named after the card Torment or the set Torment, but rather after the vertical cycle of Torments in Hour of Devastation.
Description
The effect is primary used in black.[1] It gives the opponent some options of what to pay, making it similar to a punisher mechanic, but phrased with the "default" option of losing life. If phrased like a modal ability, the target may choose the effect of "target opponent sacrifices a creature" without having any creatures and escape the effect unharmed.
Cards with Torment
- Torment of Hailfire (Hour of Devastation)
- Torment of Scarabs (Hour of Devastation)
- Torment of Venom (Hour of Devastation)
- Nicol Bolas, the Deceiver (Hour of Devastation)
- Tergrid's Lantern (Kaldheim)
- Hag of Ceaseless Torment (Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate)
- Starseer Mentor (Bloomburrow)
- Thornplate Intimidator (Bloomburrow)
- Perforating Artist (Magic: The Gathering Foundations)
Similar cards
The following cards also make the opponent choose between cards in hand, permanents, and life, but some details differ. Indulgent Tormentor uniquely has "draw a card" instead of forcing a discard and is the default rather than the life loss option.
| Card name | Life loss | Cards | Sacrifice... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden Ritual | 2 life | Includes lands | |
| Osseous Sticktwister | Damage, equal to its power | ||
| Polygraph Orb | Creature | ||
| Remorseless Punishment | 5 life | Discard two | Creature or planeswalker |
| Rottenmouth Viper | 4 life | ||
| Zoyowa Lava-Tongue | 3 damage | Includes lands | |
| Indulgent Tormentor | Controller draws | Creature |
References
- ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (October 18, 2021). "Mechanical Color Pie 2021 Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-10-18.